Greg Jackson: With Win Over Dennis Siver, Cub Swanson Should Fight for Title

Cub
Swanson has always had the talent, but now he’s putting it
together in the cage.

The 29-year-old featherweight has won four straight in the UFC, and
if he beats Dennis Siver
on Saturday at UFC
162, trainer Greg Jackson would like to see him get a shot at
the title.

“Siver’s been on a great tear too at 145,” Jackson told the
Sherdog
Radio Network’s “Beatdown” show. “I think that this match
should be for the No. 1 contender spot. Whether it is or not
remains to be seen, but I feel that if Cub wins and puts on a good
performance that there’s no reason why he shouldn’t be fighting for
that title.”

Siver has won six of his last seven. Most recently, he earned a
unanimous decision over Nam Phan in
December at UFC on Fox 5. His only loss since early 2010 came
against Donald
Cerrone via rear-naked choke.

“Dennis is so tough,” Jackson said. “He’s got that unorthodox
kickboxing style that’s very effective for him. Very looping
punches. That left high kick does really well and the spin kicks
and stuff, and then he’s really showed a good ground game lately --
a good wrestling game and a good ground game. He’s a complete
fighter, which means we’ve kind of have to beat him everywhere.
That’s a tall order because Siver’s pretty tough. I feel that Cub’s
ready for it. I think he’s had a great camp and I just have
confidence in my guy, but it’s going to be no easy fight for
sure.”

Siver can strike, but Swanson’s camp won’t be surprised if he
chooses to wrestle in the fight. It’s a tactic Jackson believes
Swanson is ready for.

“I think he’s really turned the page,” Jackson said. “I think he’s
kind of stepped up to that next level. I think there’s no doubt
that if he starts getting the better of Siver on his feet, Dennis
is going to shoot in on him and we’ll see what Cub can show in that
counter wrestling/jiu-jitsu game.”

What happens Saturday could surprise fans, but it won’t surprise
Jackson. Despite his success, Swanson has not yet surpassed
Jackson’s expectations for him -- but that’s only because the
expectations were high.

“I wouldn’t say surpassed because I saw the potential in him, but
he’s certainly coming into his own,” Jackson said. “I guess I
always saw that in him, and now it’s just nice that all you guys in
the world can see it too.”